State police looking to move Orono barracks to Bangor

BANGOR, Maine (NEWS CENTER) --- The Maine State Police is trying to work out a deal with the city of Bangor that would move its regional barracks into the city.

Troop E of the state police has been based in Orono since 1950.

From there roughly 26 state troopers patrol Penobscot and Piscataquis counties. The barracks also are home to public safety dispatch and vehicle repair for state police in Eastern Maine.

Troop commander Wes Hussey says the building has seen its day though and is need of about one million dollars in renovations.

The state police are now working to lease two vacant buildings at Bangor International Airport for the next ten years. Hussey says if the deal goes through it would give his troops the space they need for training.

The state police's major crimes unit, which is currently based in Bangor, would also move over to the new barracks.

"The location is at least good...if not better than this location for a couple of different reasons," Hussey said, "It gives easy access up Route 2 into Hermon and up that way..up Route 222 into Levant and up that direction. Very quick access to 395...very quick access to the interstate."

Use of the new building would cost the state police about $111,000 for the first year --- running up to 120,000 by the end of the lease.

The Bangor City Council will take up the proposed move during its next meeting.